I mean, there I was in 1983, enjoyed my delicious homemade popcorn that I made on an electric stove, and the next thing I knew, the big popcorn companies obviously weren't satisfied with the big profits that their product brought them every year.

So they up and changed their product.

Remember the embarrassing debacle that the Coca-Cola Corporation caused in 1985 when "they," not customers, decided that Original Coke, the product that grossed billions for their corporation world-wide, every year, needed changing.

I ask you, "why this lunacy?"

After customers distanced themselves from Coca-Cola, the same "genius"-minded higher-up's said, "hey, we need to go back to basics." What a novel idea, boys and girls. Go with what works. I wish God had given me such high-intelligence.

But He didn't.

All I knew is that from 1962, the first taste I ever had of pure, American-made popcorn until today in 2012, I have loved the old timey, unpopped popcorn out of the plastic bag with a fiery passion. And I see no decline in my love for this delicious and healthy food item coming any way soon.

Why should I?

Popcorn is loaded with protein. And it takes a strong-willed person to just eat three or four kernels of hot popcorn and quit. I will go as far as to say that anyone who just eats these few kernels of hot popcorn might need to see a professional for some needed-therapy.

I was blessed with a special sense of appreciation for popcorn. I've loved it over the span of my 58 years of life, therefore, "I" am in no need of any therapy.

I didn't stray from my "pathway of success."

I stuck to the basics. When Orville Redenbacher's first wave of new and improved popcorn hit the market, I stuck to my Pops Rite in the plastic bag with free packet of seasoning and continued to pop my corn anytime I chose. Even my wife and daughter became fans of "my" popcorn recipe (that I will share momentarily).

Popcorn is a wonderful diet supplement if you are on a strict diet and cannot have sweets, breads, or other fun foods.Popcorn is considered a "universal food" that is enjoyed by all peoples of all part of the world.Popcorn, contrary to capitalists, was discovered by the American Indians. And like their lands, "we" somehow got that from them too.Popcorn is a perfect "ice-breaking" conversation food at parties.Popcorn is more-affordable than most candies you see in stores today.

See? These are only a few reasons why I am a "popcorn fantatic."

I can testify to the fact that "I" lost a total of 81 pounds during the year of 1983 eating only a diet of popcorn at dinner, and drinking gallons of fresh water during the day. Oh, how I counted the hours at my job just longing to get home to pop myself a bowl (or two) of fresh popcorn.

Speaking of how "I" made my own popcorn long before the Hamilton Beach Hot Air Popcorn Popper (remember those?), I will now share with you my "special" popcorn recipe.I used a regular aluminum steer, or commonly known as a pan. I covered the bottom of the pan with Wesson vegetable oil with two pats of Blue Bonnet margarine.

When the oil and margarine were at a boil, I added the popcorn seasoning on top of the boiling oil and margarine and let it mix for about ten seconds.

Then I added my popcorn and swished the pan around and around until all of the popcorn kernels were covered. Then I put the lid on the pan and waited until I heard the first pop. I moved the pan back and forth on the eye of the stove until the popcorn was popping with the rhythm of a machine gun. This, by the way, is a good sign that you are about to get a full-bowl of popcorn with few unpopped kernels.

When the popcorn was almost finished popping, I took the pan off of the stove eye and let it finish popping on its own. My "special" way of popping rendered a full-bowl of hot, buttery and pre-seasoned popcorn that I barely got to eat thanks to my wife and daughter simply "going wild" for my own popcorn recipe.

But alas, some things have to change.

The same can be said for popcorn. Enter the faster, and so-called tastier microwave popcorn introduced by Orville Redenbacher. Oh, I give this man credit. His kernels "were" bigger and fluffier, but still, as I was eating this popcorn under protest, "I" knew that it came from a microwave, not my trusty old aluminum pan.

And since microwave popcorn has invaded our kitchens, companies are now manufacturing popcorn in so many flavors that "I" find myself missing "my" regular, old fashioned popcorn in my aluminum pan. I just cannot keep up or cope with how the "popcorn giants" have changed my all-time favorite snack.

I am equally-concerned that in the years to come, that I will never be able to forgive them for taking a perfect snack like popcorn and changing it so much that I am afraid that future generations will ask us, "grandpa, grandma, what are these pictures on your television? Our mom and dad said it was something "you" enjoyed called "popcorn. Can you please tell us what popcorn is?"

For the sake of my grand kids, and yours, I am abstaining from buying any microwavable, super-fast, popcorn from anyone.

My old aluminum pan and I will stand alone to keep the memory of "real popcorn" alive for future generations of snackers.

OH, THE FOND MEMORIES OF JIFFY POP

if you were blessed to have Jiffy Pop, that' meant your dad had a good job.

Comments

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sending

Author

Kenneth Avery 3 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Hi, Missy Mac,

Thank you sincerely for these kind words. I love popcorn, more the old-fashioned type than microwave.

Again, thanks so much and please keep in touch with me.

May you have a Great day or night.

Kenneth

Missy Mac 3 years agofrom Illinois

Hi Kenneth:

I too included popcorn as part of my diet and lost 80lbs Unfortunately, I must watch the amount that I eat. I love this article and it brought back memories. Voted up !! Nice writing style

Kenneth Avery 4 years ago

Dearest lupine,

I wish that I had adequate words to express just how much I appreciate you, our friendship, and how cheered-up I get when I read your epwords.

My diet? Wow, what a compliment. I love it.

Thank you, my dear friend.

Write me anytime.

I mean that.

:)

lupine 4 years agofrom Southern California (USA)

Kenneth,

I trust your inventions and this is a good one. Eating popcorn may be a simple and healthy way to diet, with all the antioxidants and B-complex vitamins for energy. What more could one want in a single grain product? As a bonus, you get to have fun enjoying it and watching a movie, as per your recommendation. You really do have the next new diet, seriously! If anyone asks, I will say I'm on the "Kenneth Avery" diet...popcorn & movie! No fat or calories either, if you eat it just plain, and with water.

Kenneth, I will try your popcorn "diet" and see how it works. Can't hurt to try it since I like it so much. All these popcorn comments are interesting, will try the one with coconut oil...recently read how healthy coconut oil is...already bought some. Enjoy your popcorn!

Author

Kenneth Avery 4 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

My Dear lupine,

You are very welcome and very correct. You can count on me as I you, as we travel through life.

Visit with me anytime.

lupine 4 years agofrom Southern California (USA)

Thank you Kenneth! I only have good things to say about you and your writings...I know I can count on y0u.

Hello Kenneth, my friend..just looking through your hubs (in case I missed any), and this one on popcorn caught my eye. Like you, I do love popcorn, used to make it on the stove, but now I use the hot air popper that uses no oil. Love it just plain! I didn't realize it was a healthy snack until recently... please see my hub on popcorn (not trying to promote my hub, but just want you to read it, thanks.) Never cared much for the microwave type either. I'll be in touch.

Author

Kenneth Avery 4 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Hi, Amy,

I think it was Pops Rite, and you can check on Ebay andvAmazon for this and other items.

Do you recall Jiffy Pop, the popcorn that came in an aluminum pan and an aluminum foil cover? I loved it.

Amy, thank you four warm comment. God bless you and I hope that you find the popcorn jar you are looking for.

Come back anytime.

Amy 4 years ago

Does any one remember popcorn in oil that came in a glass jar that looked like a corn cob? I kept one of those jars for years and it was lost in a fire this past year. It's one of the things I miss the most. Crazy, I know! Does anyone remember if it was PopsRite or Jollytime brand? I would love to find another jar, but can't seem to locate one on the internet. Any ideas?

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Dear Susan . . .Thank YOU, for that info on the GMO. I will not buy that brand again. That is not a healthy thing to put into our bodies. And no, YOUR recipe makes my mouth water. the coconut oil, WOW. Thank you for this valuable info, read, comment and votes, my dear friend.

KENNETH

Sueswan 5 years ago

Hi Kenneth,

I haven't had popcorn in awhile so I bought some Orville Redenbacher popping corn last week. Not the microwaveable kind as I don't own a microwave.

Your recipe sounds tastier than mine. I pop the corn in coconut oil then I add Himalayan sea salt. I ended up throwing out the unused corn because I found out that Orville Redenbacher's popcorn comes from genetically modified(GMO) corn which is not healthy.

Voted up and away

Take care :)

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Lucky . . .Wow, what a SWEEEEEEEEEET compliment, gorging on popcorn. Wish I had been with you and I would have shown YOU how to gorge on popcorn. Okay. I take full-responsibility. I am sorry. Not much, but if you got sick, then I am really sorry.

Kenneth

Kathy 5 years agofrom The beautiful Napa Valley, California

Well, Kenneth..."my bad!" or, maybe I should say...- YOU bad! Because, last night, I gorged on fresh popcorn with WAY too much salt! Shame on you! I'm holding you entirely responsible for this!

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Dear Debra . . .You can have popcorn on a diet. Just don't use butter. I lost 81 pounds in one year just by eating popcorn and drinking water. Was it easy? Not at first, but after a week, it was fun.

Kenneth

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Dear Catgypsy,

Thank YOU so much for your input and support of Old Fashioned popcorn. I admit. It does taste much better and doesn't have that "electric cord" taste. Just natural, buttery and perfect. These comments makes me want to (in the future) write another popcorn-related hub about Why Chinese Restaurants Never Serve Popcorn and other ideas. Would that work?

Kenneth

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

georgepjr . . .why not go for it . . .NOW? Popcorn is good anytime--breakfast, lunch and dinner and betweeen popcorn snacks. Anytime is a great time for popcorn.

Kenneth

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

b.Malin . . .LOVED your Beach Boys reference point. And I agree with you too. Question: Would the movie GoodFellas be even bigger if they had shown the main stars munching popcorn at their meetings rather than guzzling down whiskey?

Kenneth

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Hi, SilverGenes,

that is the trick. It takes skill and practice to master the Jiffy Pop, but think of this: Look at the fun and great popcorn you get from all the experimentation. I could use a panful now.

Niteriter, I admire your honesty. And appreciation for popcorn done right. Hey, a new product idea of MINE . . ."Simply Popcorn," and like Lucky Cats, the popcorn comes in ozone-friendly bags with FREE seasoning and instructions on how to pop the corn MY way and enjoy a moment in paradise.

Kenneth

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

GoForThe Juggler, I had one of those hot air things that a coworker gave me and it was a Hamilton Beach, the one with a big orange cover . . .it took forever to pop my corn and I paced a rut in my floor waiting for that delicious snack. But maybe Hot Air poppers might fetch a pretty penny on Ebay, huh?

Kenneth

Author

Kenneth Avery 5 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Hello, Lucky Cats,

Just where have you been? I have missed your colourful comments and this one you left, makes up for those I've missed. Are you serious? You still pop (corn) the old-fashion way? Wow! I am so glad. There is nothing like a crisp autumn evening, a big bowl of pure, homemade popcorn, with LOTS of seasoning, a good movie, and knowing that the next day is Saturday. Stay up all night eating popcorn: My idea, or one of my ideas of heaven.

Thanks, Lucky. I appreciate your support. I wish I wasn't so hungry for popcorn now.

Kenneth

Debra Emerson 5 years ago

A very good hub that makes you want to go the pop some popcorn right now, but I can't because I am on a diet.

catgypsy 5 years agofrom the South

I know exactly what you mean, Kenneth. I, too, prefer the homemade (in a pot on the stove) kind. The microwave kind does not taste as good as the other. I never thought to add the butter to the oil...I'll have to try it. Yummy hub...haha!

George 5 years agofrom Ohio

Hmmm this just makes me want to go make some popcorn :) great hub!

b. Malin 5 years ago

The old fashion method was Fun, Until PROGRESS took that Method away. I can hear the "Beach Boys" singing in the background..."Fun, Fun, Fun, until the Micro Wave Companies took it away"! But you, Kenneth, are our Hero, BRINGING BACK THE OLD FRYING PAN ON THE STOVE METHOD! Fun, Enjoyable read!

SilverGenes 5 years ago

Well now, I may have to try that "old-fashioned" method again :) I still own one of those Hamilton Beach hot-air poppers (they roast coffee beans well, too hahaha) and we still pick up Jiffy Pop for camping but getting that to work well over a fire is a whole story in itself! Loved this hub! :)

Mark G Weller 5 years agofrom Lake Charles, LA.

Well done Kenneth, I like that "Old Time" pan popped corn myself!

Niteriter 5 years agofrom Canada

Not being as gastronomically talented nor as patient as you, I confess that I am a rabid consumer of Orville's microwave product. You described the act of making popcorn the old fashioned way with such fondness that I was, for just a moment, tempted to jump up and give it a try. But then laziness triumphed over temptation and I sit here with just a drop of saliva to keep me company.

Cheers!

Joshua Patrick 5 years agofrom Texas

Microwave popcorn is so awfully greasy and inefficient - as long as I have an air popper and some popcorn salt, I'm set. I'm a sucker for movie theater popcorn, too. There's nothing like hot buttered popcorn at the movies.

Kathy 5 years agofrom The beautiful Napa Valley, California

hey Kenneth! I STILL pop MY popcorn on the stove, with oil...from a bag of popcorn..the cheapest I can find..it's all good! Lots of salt (I know, I know..but, I'm an admitted 'salt-o-holic!'). Love it and I can eat an entire bowl by myself! ha!

I DO NOT like the chemically taste of nuked popcorn, plus, I hear that the bag releases carcinogins when heated to that extreme...now, there was a bright marketing idea!!

And, "Jiffy Pop?" do they even sell that anymore? I could NEVER make it work right without turning into a towering inferno on my stove...nonono!!! Give me that 'ole time poppin' corn, pa! It's good enough for me!! Funny Useful Interesting and, Gee! i wish I had some right now!!!!!